What could we pay for with the $$$ poured into the war in Iraq? Charlie Stross makes some calculations:

Going by Stiglitz’s indirect estimates, the picture is even more ludicrous; for $3Tn, assuming a crew of four per expedition, $20Bn per flight, and a basic $450 start-up price, you could send 510 astronauts to Mars. That’s not a Mars exploration program, that’s a battalion! It’s a small colony!

Seriously, war is such a bad idea. Even though we may argue about the necessity of a Mars trip, investing the money in renewable energy (or even nuclear power plants), global education, water resources etc. would be A. LOT. BETTER. THAN. WAR.

Daylight Atheism is written by the man behind Ebon Musings, and it is a very enjoyable weblog, about and for atheism. Well written, thought out and careful; I like it. Here’s three pieces for your Sunday reading:

If I had another chance, or simply a few, say 15, years on my hand with nothing in particular to do, I’d probably study. And.. maybe astronomy. I mean, exactly how cool is it? Very, very much cool. So, without further ado, here’s the link of the day,

Everyone with normal IQ and access to internet or TV knows that Scientology is a cult. It is a cult, ok? A cult, as in an ugly damn cult. And if you wonder why I keep on calling it a cult, it is because of this: